大使

• Pinyin: dà shǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 = person with spread arms; 使 = 亻(person) + 吏 (official)

Meaning

Ambassador. A diplomatic representative of a country.

The highest-ranking diplomat sent by one country to represent it in another. Works in an embassy (大使馆). Also used metaphorically for brand ambassadors or goodwill ambassadors (形象大使, 亲善大使).

Examples

1. 中国驻美国大使出席了这次重要的外交会议。 The Chinese ambassador to the United States attended this important diplomatic meeting.
2. 她被任命为联合国儿童基金会亲善大使。 She was appointed as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
3. 新任大使向总统递交了国书。 The new ambassador presented credentials to the president.

Usage Guide

Context: diplomacy, politics

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 大使馆在市中心。(The embassy is in the city center.)
• 他是我们品牌的形象大使。(He is the brand ambassador for our company.)

Don't Say

• 大使是最高级别的外交官，不能用于普通外交人员 (大使 is the highest-ranking diplomat — don't use it for ordinary diplomatic staff)

Origin & History

From 大 (great/major) and 使 (envoy/messenger), originally meaning an important messenger or representative.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal